Reilly Determined To Help Arbroath To Help Himself
The 2023/24 Cinch Scottish Championship campaign has not been as anticipated for Arbroath. We find ourselves basically cut adrift in 20th place in the division having picked up only 20 points from our opening 24 games.
Five wins and five draws is not what anyone would have wanted so far, and in some ways our position was slightly improved recently with the back to back draws secured against Dunfermline and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The problem being, we are still seven points shy of Caley Thistle who are immediately above us in the table, and Tuesday evening’s clash with Queen’s Park was certainly not going to be a walk in the park for us and Football on television today watchers may have been hiding a little bit.
Speaking ahead of our upcoming clash, on loan 22 year old Charlie Reilly remained in a boisterous mood though have secured his move from Dundee to Gayfield at the beginning of the month and the end of the January transfer window, and having made his debut for us in the last clash with Inverness, he was determined to have a good second half of the campaign, which in turn more than helped turn around our own league fortunes.
Having been nominated for the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year award following a return of 35 goal contributions in only 34 games last season for former club Albion Rovers, his potential is obvious to everyone.
Having made a big switch to Dundee at the start of the current campaign, he is still tying to establish himself with them after eight substitute appearances as he makes the step up, and he felt his spell with us would help him achieve that as he continues to develop as a player.
In fairness, he has been held back by a few injuries and he knows that what he needs is a good run of games again, and we can provide it. It was a solid debut as well from the youngster, as he was outstanding and obviously laid on our goal for Adam Mackinnon, and plenty in the fan base will hope that this was a sign of what was to come once again from him now he is back to full fitness.
“I was League Two Player of the Year and was nominated for the whole of Scotland as Young Player of the Year. I couldn’t quite believe when I was told I had been nominated. Now I want to kick on at Arbroath and we won’t be giving up until the season’s over. While there’s still a chance we’ll keep going.”
Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, many feel that Reilly could have a big say in it given his potential and talent, and whilst there will be a slip up or two, we have to hope we get our noses in front.
